Micah: Are the water temps getting pulled off the buoys? Just curious, because one week ago, it was reading 56 on Hilton Head and today its saying it up to 65. Thats a pretty huge jump... Im thinking its still on or around 60.
Zach, The shift you noticed was that the ocean temps were not getting updated properly for a period of time. However, I agree that 65 looks to high for today. Since, there are really no close by nearshore ocean buoys, the data is taken from a satellite data set that is captured 1-2 days ago. My guess is that there is a lot of variation in the temps from day to day in your area this time of year due to gulf stream shifting. I could switch the source of the ocean temp data to buoy 41008, but that is a little ways offshore, and will create its own problems. My suggestion for you is to look at the surrounding buoy data (station data map) to get a clearer picture of what is going on "right now". Hope that helps,
Thanks... I usually look at about 4 different buoys to pull data from... Like you said, unfortunately, there isnt a nearshore buoy right off the island, so the swells and temp are pretty hard to judge for down here... Its a bit easier to pinpoint charleston or down by Tybee...
This satellite data makes it look more like low 50s near the beach. Obviously way warmer than that out in the gulf stream offshore.
wow. its still like 43 here in VB. gonna be in wetsuits till late may early june unless it starts really warming up around here
Unfortunately, I can't pull Satellite data for the current time. When I pull the data, it is a day or two behind, which sometimes can make a big difference. Other times a day or two is no big deal. But, if your surfing the Lighthouse, you know how quick those water temps can go from 60 degrees to 45 with the shifting gulf stream. A lot of locations, the ocean temp is pulled from nearby buoys, but some forecast locations do not have any buoys very close. But, as stated above, take a look at the buoy data map, to check all the nearby stations, which should give you the best overall guess. Unless, of course you want to send someone out with a thermometer or know of a source that does that. I'm not sure how everyone uses all the Swellinfo resources, but the buoys data map is pretty awesome in my opinion, and my go to first glance to know what wave heights, wind, and ocean temps are doing at any moment.
Water temp data around here is all from the buoys, an completely inaccurate compared to the temp near the shore. I ignore those and look to the local forecasters, which give charleston harbor water temps. That usually aligns better with true water temp on the beach. Our report on here says 65F, while it is actually closer to 55 near shore. We don't usually get huge fluctuations.
Hey man, heading down to VB tommorow. I know theres nothing on the forecast, but I hope at least some windswell will come up! Hope for swell!
So you are only tracking with satellite? It is always completely inaccurate and seems pointless to list. Our local daily surf reports take water temp from harbor (I assume NOAA base) data. SI is normally 10F higher and not near actually shore water temp.
Found the NOAA report: http://www.srh.noaa.gov/data/CHS/CWFCHS This is actually fairly accurate. Water temp on the beach is usually within a couple degrees of the harbor water temp.
LMAO! w/ no disrespect intended to micha whatsoever, he does a fantastic job w/ this site, i find this site to be far more accurate in regards to near-shore water temps: http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/dsdt/cwtg/all.html.
Good news. I found a better source for the ocean temp data, that isn't showing those large biases off the Southeast coast. This is in place and are looking good to me. Please let me know if you see otherwise.
Yes, much much better. I believe exact water temp on folly is 57F, so 2 degrees off is pretty good. Thanks for fixing it!
